My 13-day Solo Backpacking (First day, Part 1 of 2)

I was inspired by James Betia of www.journeyingjames.com  and other travel bloggers in having a solo backpacking trip. It was just in time that I was able to schedule it right after my resignation and a few days before my class starts in the College of Law. I have planned it a month ahead my actual solo backpacking trip. Entries of the different bloggers somehow helped me but I was able to prove, going through the trip on your own will give you lot more lessons than what you have just read. Detail by detail can’t be put into words, not because of any limitations but because of indescribable instances.

First Day: May 21, 2011 - Manila (Buendia)-Batangas Pier-
Talipananand White Beach, Puerto Galera (PG)

I took a Ceres bus bound to Batangas Pier for Php 167.00 and took me about three hours to travel. I’ve asked my seatmate and I was told that I should have taken the bus bound to Calabarzon (one full stop) so that travel time would only be about two hours as compared to what I took which passes in different towns and barrios like Turbina, Calamba. I was in a hurry so I had just to follow the porters. I paid Php 300.00 for the ticket (Galerian Lines – Ederlyn), Php 30.00 for the terminal fee, Php 50.00 for environmental fee and Php 20.00 as tip for the porter. The trip was 3pm and I arrived almost 3pm so I was the last one to get into the boat.

I was welcomed by the clear waters and white sands of White Beach, PG. The hotels and hostels were all fully-booked so I made reservations to Tuna Joe Backpackers (Sabang) and Mountain Beach Resort (Talipanan) for me to have a place to stay if ever I couldn’t find a homestay. Almost all passengers of the boat stopped at the White Beach and only five of us left – two sweetheart couples and I. The younger couple stopped at Aninuan Beach and the married couple asked me if it’s okay that we also stop in Aninuan Beach and ride a tricycle going to Talipanan – that they’ll just gonna pay for the ride. I said it’s cool with me. On the way to Talipanan beach, I had a friendly conversation with the wife and I’ve mentioned to her that I was on a solo backpacking and looking for a homestay – I’m lucky enough that she offered me her house. To my surprise, she’s the owner of the boat.

Talipanan Falls

Upon arriving in Talipanan, I left my things to Ate’s house and trekked to Talipanan falls with a guide whom I paid Php 50.00. We passed by the Mangyan Village in going to the falls. The tribe is small but all are friendly. They’re so cute - dark-skinned, thin and with curly hairs.  The housing project in the village is funded by Ayala Foundation. The Mangyans were given a livelihood project and one of their unique products are bracelets and necklaces made of dried “tigbi” seeds. From the village, you could see Mt. Halcon which is very famous to the mountain climbers. They were also given a decent school. Trekking the falls is a bit hard because you have to step on the rocks then there’s a very steep part where you have to almost crawl going up. Every step makes me dripping a lot – I’m so wet with sweat. Uh-huhh!

Day3: Virgin Island and Lunch at Dumaluan Beach Resort

Sea urchin-inhabited Virgin Island

According to the boatmen, we could reach Virgin Island from Balicasag Island as fast as 30 minutes but since we had to battle with the big waves, we arrived at the island 15 minutes later. Beware of the locals there selling sea urchins. They’ll keep on giving you without explaining that it’s not a free taste. It doesn’t taste good anyway. Since our time is limited, we were not able to explore much the island. We just took some photos then we head back to the island to catch up with our flight.

Lunch at Dumaluan

We had a very delicious lunch at Dumaluan before going home. Their fruit shake is so good and cheap. We didn’t realize that it’s almost 1pm so we’re in a hurry going to the airport. What a blessing in disguise that the flight is delayed because when we arrived at the airport, the check-in counter was already closed. Delayed flight. Haha.

Our 48-hour energetic stay in Bohol is really cool. We have roamed a lot of places in the island. Locals of Bohol are really good and I wanna go back there next year! Wiiiiiiiii

Day3: Dolphin Watching and Balicasag Island

Activities for the last day:

- Dolphin watching

- Snorkeling at Balicasag Island

- Island Hopping (Virgin Island)

Dolphin Watching

We had to wake up early for the dolphin watching. Before we left the resort, we took the advantage in taking photo of the low tide view at sunrise. We left the resort as early as 6am. We were not able to have breakfast so I just bought three buns for each of us and 1 liter of drinking water plus I brought the calamay. There were eight boats in the dolphin watching site when we reached there. The sunrise was so cool and it was easy for as to glimpse the dolphins not until one of the fellow boats blocked the view. Huh! Not bad because I was able to take a video of the cluster.

Balicasag Island

On our way to Balicasag Island, we were so noisy – a lil bit nervous at first but after a while we get excited and kept on screaming because of the huge waves. When we get there, we’re told that we’ll gonna pay Php150.00 each for the snorkeling in the marine sanctuary. Php 100.00 each for the snorkeling gear and Php300 for the triple zip lock pouch for the camera. Whoaaaaaa we haggled for a hundred bucks each for the snorkeling but they didn’t want so we asked the boatmen to just leave the island and head to Virgin Island. Good thing they were able to reduce the price at Php 350.00 for the snorkeling in the marine sanctuary. My buddies haggle for the snorkeling gear at Php 150.00 for two and me for the pouch at Php120.00.

Day2: Ostrich Farm and Dinner at Dumuluan Beach Resort

Ostrich Farm

Last stop (spot) for the daytour is the Ostrich Farm. We’re able to touch and see a real Ostrich Egg. Soooooo big. It’s our first time to hold a snake and wrap our body with it. They also have baby leopards and owl like the one the Guardians. Their peacock’s wings were broken so we didn’t see it spread. Their ostrich is so pretty, sexier than the one I saw in Baluarte at Vigan.

Dinner at Dumaluan

We accounted our money and there, we noticed the scarcity of resources. Hehe We had to find an ATM, I had to google and presto, the nearest is in Alona. We took habal-habal going there. We had resources now. Hehe We had our dinner in the Dumaluan’s Resto. Their food is cheap but so good. We had sinigang na hipon and kilawin for the night. Their sinigang tastes different, it’s so good and one thing I love with its cooking is – it has green siling labuyo as one of the ingredients. Whew!

Day2: Dauis Church and Hinagdanan Cave

Dauis

At last, we’ve reached Panglao. My buddies wanted to buy miraculous water from the Dauis Church so we stopped there. Since I can’t go inside, I asked Kuya to go with me in the café and have a sip of coffee. But he told me, he’s still full. I do also but I just wanted to try their coffee. Getting inside the café is like going inside in one of the boutiques in Podium. The shop is so fabulous – native but elegant bags and huts for summer. They also have jewelries. When my buddies reached where I am, we borrowed the bags and huts for photo op. Hehe

Hinagdanan Cave

When I was still searching for car rental, there is this one who told me that they don’t bring their guests to this cave because it isn’t safe this season. But still, I included it in the list. The guide/photographer almost pissed me off. And I think he’s a bit drunk. Kuya is so makulit. He pretends to be so good in photography – damn! I regret letting him handle my camera. We should have taken photos by ourselves. Hmmmp!

Day2: Prony Python, Baclayon Church and Blood Compact

Prony Python

The Prony Python’s place is better now compared to my first visit. Aside from the python, they also have monkey, hawk, turtle and beagle. I bought calamay because I was told that it’s their special delicacy. It tastes good but I prefer the calamay of Candon, Ilocos Norte. The gay caretaker is more beautiful now than the first time I went there, just sad that the owner of the python, the yummy guy was not around. haha



Baclayon Church

We stayed a bit longer in Baclayon than the time allotted because my buddies had session in the reflexology. They also went inside the museum. I didn’t go with them because it’s prohibited to take photos there. I got bored smoking so I took photos of the mangroves. I was able to talk with an Slovanian and she told me they are in a group of 16 and will be staying in the country for four weeks because their season is winter – so cold.



Blood Compact
Visiting the Blood Compact site is not just merely seeing it because its one of the tourist spots. Being there for me is like being a part of what had transpired in that place. I couldn’t imagine myself doin the blood compact – I’m so afraid of blood. =(

Day2: Loboc Hanging Bridge and Church

Hanging Bridge

Heading to Loboc for lunch, we had a stop first at the Hanging Bridge. A pair of very long hanging bridge with a jade green river as addition to its good view. The first time I visited Bohol, I was so afraid to cross the bridge but now it’s my second time to visit, I dunno how I had gained confidence to cross it. And yeah, I made it! I’m wondering why is it that all of them in the group are holding on the rails that it seems they wanna have a photo with that pose. No one’s taking a photo of them though so I just did. Hehe They sell grilled banana and its my first time to see one.

Loboc by Day

We had lunch at Loboc but not at the eat-all-u-can in the Loboc River Day Cruise because doing so would take us more than an hour. We had to maximize our time so we just had lunch in one of the eateries along the Loboc River. I’m so impressed with the way how people promote cleanliness in their town. When I threw my cigarette butt, the officer asked me to pick it up and throw in the garbage instead of imposing penalty on me. Shame on me. =(

Day2: Carmen Chocolate Hills and Bilar Man-Made Forest

Carmen Chocolate Hills

Trek again? Yeap, definitely! It will take more than a hundred steep steps to reach the top of the Carmen view deck. Guests that time compose of 95% foreigners – European. So bad that when you say excuse for them to move a bit farther so you could take a photo with good view, they wouldn’t mind you. But when they do the same to you and if you do what they did, they’ll reiterate. No etiquette. Hmmmm But we have to be patient, because somehow they contribute to our country’s income. You could see a photo below where a man is taking a picture of me, that’s because he saw me taking a photo of their group. Hehe



Bilar Man-Made Forest

This man-made forest is a curling road planted with mahogany. It reminds me of our mini-plantation of mahogany and gymilina in Isabela. Anyway, I dunno how many kilometers this forest is but I took a video of it, end-to-end. Going back to Loboc, we stopped at the Man-Made forest to take photo. Kuya Leo, our driver took that jump shot, great, eh? I wonder what they would do with the mahogany when it’ll mature. Hehe Will they harvest the trees and replant?

Day2: Sagbayan Peak

Daytour Sites:
- Sagbayan Peak (Tarsier, Butterfly, Chocolate hills)
- Carmen Chocolate Hills
- Bilar Man-made Forest
- Hanging Bridge
- Loboc by day
- Prony python
- Baclayon Church
- Blood Compact Site
- Dauis Café
- Hinagdanan Cave
- Ostrich Farm

Sagbayan Peak

It took us 90minutes to travel from Hilltop Cottage to Sagbayan Peak. Now I won’t wonder why car rentals ask for additional Php500.00 if you add it in your itinerary. Trek again though it’s not as steep as the Hilltop and the Mag-aso. The viewdeck in Sagbayan is not as wide as Carmen but the place is so cool like Tagaytay.



We went inside the butterfly sanctuary so we could experience taking photo with butterfly on our palms. There is this green butterfly which I couldn’t take a shot of it cause it flies so fast. It’s a bit funny when I saw these two butterflies catching each other – I think they are mates. Please find the photo below. We got a hard time waiting for the butterfly to rest on our finger dipped with diluted sugar. But it’s amazing when we were able to take a photo with it.



Another attraction in Sagbayan is the Tarsier. They have three. It’s prohibited to hold one but when I asked the caretaker, he whispered to me that he’ll allow us when the other guests leave. And yes, he did. The feet of the tarsier feels like a rubber. I think they are friendly as long as you refrain from being noisy and aggressive.

Day1: Hilltop Cottage

Hilltop Cottage
We ended our first day at the Hilltop Cottage and started the second day with great view of the sunrise. Just checking-in at the resort requires a trek? That’s Hilltop Cottage if you’ll stay in one of their premium rooms. Exclusively, we’re their only guests that night. It seems like we rented the whole place to feel quietness and exclusiveness. I brought Ilocos Longganisa for our breakfast so we just ordered fried rice and coffee. We’re so full – just ready for the awaiting tiring day!

Day1: Loboc River Night Cruise

Loboc River Night Cruise

I’ve tried the Loboc River Cruise at daytime so I preferred to try the Night Cruise. Before our Bohol Trip, I tried to contact some of the locals and asked where are the good places to go (without telling them I’ve been there). Someone suggested me the Night Cruise at the Loboc River – and God damn! He’s true. The Night Cruise is so great! The scenery is so alluring. The lighting project in Loboc had offered employment to the locals. The cruise will start at 8pm, we are 2 hours ahead so we decided to take some photos first. We’re already tired roaming around the tourism complex but the cruise won’t start yet so we went inside the Bohol Bee Farm Resto. We tasted their malunggay ice cream and it tastes better than the other malunggay ice creams I’ve tasted.

We thought we’re only few who’ll join the cruise, lil bit sad. But when its about to start, many are coming in. We didn’t avail the eat-all-u-can because the food’s not so good - just the typical kind of seafood dishes, nothing special. One stop in the cruise is watching the locals dance in the floating kubo. As much as I wanted to join my buddies, I’m already enjoying taking a video of them dancing. They’re so cute – dancing like kids. The duration of the cruise was almost an hour.

Day1: Loboc Adventure Park

Loboc Adventure Park – Zipline and Cable Car

Learning that Loboc has a Zipline and Cable Car didn’t give me some excitement since I’ve tried those already. But since my buddies haven’t tried those, I included it in the list. As common to ziplines, you’ll trek first before reaching the starting point. Loboc’s hill is so steep and a bit high. Wahhhhhhh I was so tired when I reached the top. But its so worth it reaching the top – the view, the awaiting zipline, the lush green of the nature. My buddies went first for the zipline and their so nervous – I could see in their faces and could hear their screams. The zipline is a batman style but my buddies were embracing the harness instead of spreading their arms. Hehe. Since it’s not my first time, I’m not nervous anymore and since I really wanted a batman style, I’m so excited. The zipline is too high, I really felt like I’m really flying and have wings. We rode the cable car in going back and it’s so great – a 4-minute ride. When we’re done, we’re surprised that Kuya Topher was still there. He’s so considerate to have waited for us. We saw a grilling place in Loboc and invited Kuya to have early dinner before going home but he was so shy and refused to.

Chicken Inato! Early Dinner at Loboc

After burning some fats in the Loboc Adventure Park, it seems that our stomach’s rallying for some food so we decided to have an early dinner. I inquired the locals if they have any specialty dish. Unfortunately, they don’t have. Grilling is fun – so we did. We grilled our own food, good smell – smoky. Hehe

Day1: Sikatuna Park

Sikatuna Park

En route Loboc is Sikatuna. We’re supposed to go to Sikatuna Park but when I told the driver about it, he doesn’t know the place. We saw the signage going to Sikatuna Tree Park but the driver ain’t sure if it’s the park we’re referring to so we decided to move along until we reached the Sikatuna Municipal Hall and Sikatuna Church. It’s the spot which the driver thinks the attraction is, so no choice, we just took photo there. We asked him for us to go at Tree Park but he refused to. We went straight to Loboc Hilltop Cottage. The driver waited for us so he could drop us at the Loboc Adventure Park.

Day1: Abatan River and Mag-Aso Falls

Destinations for the first day:

- Abatan River

- Mag-Aso Falls

- Sikatuna Park

- Loboc Adventure Park

- Loboc Night Cruise

- Hilltop Cottage

Abatan River

On our way to Mag-Aso Falls, we had a stop for photos in the Abatan River. Its fabulous greens are composed of Nipa trees planted along the river. The Abatan River Livelihood Project offers a cruise but I think it would last for more than a couple of hours.





Mag-Aso Falls

I was in doubt if I have to include Mag-Aso Falls in our itinerary. I’ve received the e-mail regarding the flashflood happened there where two men died. But then I decided to include it believing God is our guide. I haven’t read in any of the blogs about Mag-Aso Falls that before reaching it, you have to go downstairs of about a hundred steep steps. Matet and Grace changed their pants so I thought we were going to swim. Since I’m wearing shorts, I immediately went to the water after taking some shots of the falls and of the foreigner couple who were swimming there. When my buddies finished changing clothes, I splashed them with water. To my surprise, they’re so resistant, telling me they are not going to swim. Hahaha. See, a result of miscommunication. =) The coldness of the water was so refreshing so as to the fresh coconut juice by ate’ng bakla.

Aerial Shots Going to Bohol

Tres marias – Matet, Grace and I. Off to Bohol. Approaching Bohol, we took some aerial shots – we were giggling with excitement and didn’t care about the people around us since 90% of the passengers are foreigners. We even fantasized of having our own islands someday…. Someday…..

We reached Bohol at 1:30pm. The weather’s pretty cool – not too hot but the sun’s welcomingly smiling, proudly greeting and warmly inviting us with the rest of the nature. Mang Topher, our driver seems to have waited us for hours. Hehe

Newbie

Instead of keeping my thoughts, i decided to blog and share my ideas, perceptions and experiences. In such a way, I could express more of myself, widen my mind more and collect other people's outlooks. Today is the start of it and smiles welcome me - that makes me more excited in sharing the world what I see and believe the world is.